An insider’s guide to Plaza Midwood: What to eat, drink and do

You may know Plaza Midwood as the quirky cousin to NoDa, or as Elizabeth’s eccentric neighbor. A vibrant and diverse neighborhood just northeast of Charlotte’s center city, Plaza Midwood was originally established in the 1920s as a “streetcar suburb” designed around a trolley line that ran to and from Uptown.

Formally declared a Charlotte neighborhood in 1973, Plaza Midwood’s borders are strictly defined by Hawthorne Lane on the west, Central Avenue on the south, and The Plaza and Parkwood Avenue on the north.

In Plaza Midwood, massive trees shade residential streets lined with craftsman-style bungalows and cottages. Then there’s the heartbeat of the neighborhood, right between Central Avenue and Commonwealth: an amalgam of eclectic storefronts, bars, and restaurants, each with a unique vibe all its own.

A stone-trimmed marker designates the Plaza Midwood neighborhood.

David T. Foster, III dtfoster@charlotteobserver.com

Help us deliver journalism that makes a difference in our community.

Our journalism takes a lot of time, effort, and hard work to produce. If you read and enjoy our journalism, please consider subscribing today.

Though there are several other Midwood Smokehouse locations in the Charlotte area, this BBQ joint still offers a quintessentially Plaza Midwood feel. (You can also smell it from down the street. In a good way.)

This funky café is a neighborhood hot spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Offering local, organic, sustainable food, you’ll often find a line out the door at Zada Jane’s (particularly if you stop by for brunch on the weekend).

Pro tip: Whether you’re there for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, get the Bunny Rancheros. They’re a crowd favorite for a reason.

Open 365 days a year, Common Market is a local hub that brings all types of people together. With a delicious deli, a wide variety of drinks (both bottled and on draft), plenty of snacks, and a large patio, it’s the neighborhood’s hangout spot of choice for good reason.

Pro tip: Build your own breakfast sandwich at the deli any day of the week, then pair it with a cup of Sexy Power coffee.

Visit Dish for creative comfort food: Southern cuisine with both Mexican and Cajun flair. A favorite spot for locals (and Charlotte natives in particular), you can stop by for breakfast food, late-night food, and everything in between.

Pro tip: Get the chicken and dumplings for a “just like mama used to make it” comfort food experience.

This gastropub infuses traditional English fare with Southern ingredients to create a multicultural fusion. Don’t miss out on their wide variety of Moscow Mules and other craft cocktails while you’re there.

Pro tip: There’s a gorgeous view of the city skyline from the rooftop patio.

Also located in the 7th St. Public Market, Pure Pizza offers pies made with locally sourced ingredients. As the owners put it, they’re “farm-loving pizza freaks,” and you can practically taste their passion in the pizza.

Plastered with a painting of Guy Fieri’s face to commemorate its appearance on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” in 2015, Krazy Fish is an eclectic seafood restaurant featuring a tiki bar and quirky décor.

Pro tip: The blackened tuna tacos are incredible, as are the cheesy jalapeno grits.

Note: The next three spots are technically just outside of Plaza Midwood, but worth including nonetheless.

Drink

Legion adds an innovative twist to traditional German-style brewing. With their popular tagline, “Friends And Beer,” it’s no wonder that you can see so many people enjoying good beer with friends at Legion every day of the week.

Pro tip: Try the Carolina Sparkle Party with one of the “dressings” offered to turn the sour Berliner Weisse into a sweet beverage.

Self-defined as “a coffee shop for craft beer,” The Hop Shop is a laid-back place to enjoy both local and imported craft beer, in bottles or on draft. Grab your beer to go or grab a seat on one of the indoor porch swings and hang out for a while.

Pro tip: Though The Hop Shop’s focus is on beer, it also has a wide selection of wines to choose from.

If you’re looking for a live music venue where you can drink and dance the night away, Snug Harbor is the place for you. This nautically themed bar hosts local and regional rock acts on a nightly basis, along with the occasional drag show.

Pro tip: Stop by Sunday nights for karaoke, and get ready for a few show-stoppers.

The full bar at Pint Central boasts 34 taps, more than 40 bottled beers, wine, and custom cocktails. You can also get Argentinian, American, and European-influenced tapas and sandwiches while you’re there.

Pro tip: Make your way here on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. for trivia and $3.50 beers.

Marking the border between Plaza Midwood and Country Club Heights, this is anything but a stuffy country club. This is a laidback place with pool tables, dart boards, and a juke box for you to enjoy along with your drinks.

Pro tip: Sports are always on the TVs, so if you’ve been looking for a good place to watch your favorite team play, this is it.

Central is Plaza Midwood’s neighborhood, corner coffee shop. It serves and brews North Carolina-based beans by artisan coffee roaster Joe Van Gogh. Pastries and food are prepared and baked in house each day.

This little pub tucked between Plaza Midwood and NoDa is dog friendly and has a sweet patio out back. And while you’re more than welcome to throw back a PBR, this funky bar has a surprisingly good craft beer selection.

Pro tip: In addition to live music and karaoke, Hattie’s also has bingo nights and has been known to host “Game of Thrones” viewing parties.

Buy, sell or trade trendy clothing and accessories at this quirky consignment shop on Central. You can find Buffalo Exchange shops in other locations, too, but this store’s vintage vibe still feels uniquely Plaza Midwood.

Pro tip: If you’re selling, you have the option to sell for cash or to trade clothing for store credit.

Attached to Okra Yoga, Gumbo Goods is a store “focused on the enhancement and support a lifestyle of wellness and wholeness.” You can find yoga mats, activewear, essential oils, beauty products and more here.

Pro tip: Check out its Instagram before going to see if the store has any sales going on.

Play

This neighborhood park offers plenty of shaded, grassy space to relax and play, as well as two playgrounds (one for younger children, one for older children), a tennis court, basketball court, soccer field and a stage for festivals and performances.

Pro tip: The pavilion here is perfect for picnics and parties, but it fills up quickly. Be sure to get there early to snag a spot if you’re planning a get-together.

What did we miss? Tell us your favorite Plaza Midwood spot in the comments or shoot an email to charlottefive@charlottefive.com.